Abstract: An improved hand truck is provided for use on construction sites for lifting and transporting banded stacks of masonry products such as bricks and blocks. The hand truck includes a frame supported by a pair of wheels for movement along the ground and tiltable from a vertical position wherein a stack of masonry products can be engaged toward an inclined position wherein the stack can be transported. The frame supports a quickly and conveniently adjustable movable plate for use in supporting the individual units in the stack when the hand truck is in an inclined position and a pair of projecting tongs for insertion into openings in the stacks whereby the stacks can be lifted off the ground when the hand truck is tilted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting clamps or clips off of the ends of sausages and similar products formed by forcing material into continuous lengths of an outer tubular casing and placing clips intermediately along the length of the outer casing to separate lengths of the sausage or the like. The clips are removed by positioning the clips of a pair of the sausages or the like adjacent a pair of cutters in such a manner that the cutter jaws are positioned between the adjacent ends of sausages. The cutters are then caused to automatically move apart until they engage the ends of the sausages and are positioned between the respective clips and the ends of the sausages. The cutters are then automatically actuated to cut through the outer casing between the clips and the ends of the sausages to thereby effect removal of the clips and separation of the pair of sausages.

Abstract: A thermometer for use in a vehicle to indicate the outside temperature to the driver. A rotary drum temperature indicator is located within the driver's compartment of the vehicle while a bimetallic sensing unit is located outside the compartment. The sensing unit is mechanically coupled to the drum indicator and extends therefrom into the housing of a rear view mirror. The housing contains openings which admit the outside air. When the vehicle is in motion a stream of air flows through these openings and is directed to flow over the sensing unit so that the temperature of the latter conforms to the temperature of the outside air. As the temperature changes, the sensing unit causes a proportionate rotation of the rotary drum relative to a reference line so that the position of a temperature scale imprinted upon the drum may be read relative to the reference line for determining the outside temperature.